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NVIDIA NIM

NVIDIA NIM provides containerized, optimized inference microservices for deploying AI models on NVIDIA-accelerated infrastructure.

NVIDIA NIM

NVIDIA NIM packages AI models, optimized inference engines, runtime dependencies, and standard APIs into deployable software containers. Teams can use hosted APIs for prototyping or self-host NIM in clouds, data centers, workstations, and edge environments.

Developers use NIM to build AI agents, virtual assistants, document-processing systems, shopping tools, and 3D configurators. Development access is free through the NVIDIA Developer Program; production use requires NVIDIA AI Enterprise licensing, and the license does not cover the underlying model.

Features

  • Deploy prebuilt inference microservices with a single command
  • Expose models through industry-standard APIs
  • Run on NVIDIA-accelerated cloud, data center, workstation, and edge infrastructure
  • Support models based on TensorRT-LLM, vLLM, and SGLang
  • Run fine-tuned models with self-hosted NIM endpoints
  • Scale deployments on Kubernetes and cloud service providers
  • Use hosted APIs accelerated by DGX Cloud for prototyping
  • Integrate NIM endpoints with OpenAI-compatible client code

Use cases

  • Build AI virtual assistants for customer support and business processes
  • Process documents with generative AI
  • Create hyperpersonalized shopping experiences
  • Deploy 3D product configurator applications
  • Prototype AI agents with NVIDIA-hosted APIs
  • Run production inference inside a controlled infrastructure environment

Pros

    Cons

      Capabilities

      • Choice of models — “Unlock Enterprise-Ready Inference for Thousands of Open Models” source
      • Self-hosted — “Download and self-host NIM microservices for research and development as part of the NVIDIA Developer Program.” source
      • Runs models for you — “Get access to unlimited prototyping with hosted APIs for NIM accelerated by NVIDIA DGX™ Cloud” source
      • Builds agents and workflows — “Build impactful agentic AI applications with comprehensive reference workflows featuring NVIDIA acceleration libraries, SDKs, and NIM microservices.” source

      Get it

      Pricing

      Starting price
      $1125/yr
      Prices checked
      2026-11-05

      Subscription (self-managed)

      • $4,500 / GPU
      • $1,125 / GPU
      • $9,000 / GPU
      • $2,250 / GPU
      • $13,500 / GPU
      • $3,375 / GPU
      • $18,000 / GPU
      • $4,500 / GPU
      • $18,000 / GPU
      • $4,500 / GPU
      • Includes support
      • Available for 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year terms

      Perpetual (self-managed)

      • $22,500 / GPU
      • $5,625 / GPU
      • 5 years support

      Production (cloud-hosted)

      • $1 / hour / GPU + CSP Instance Cost(s)
      • Consumption / Pay as you go
      • Limited to 3 calls

      Development (cloud-hosted)

      Free

      • Free to use or BYOL + CSP Instance Cost(s)
      • Developer Forum and Discord

      Private Offer (cloud-hosted)

      Price on request

      • 1- to 3-year subscription
      • NVIDIA AI Enterprise Support
      Official website